A. Unlawful: It shall be unlawful to engage in the open burning or the outdoor burning of rubbish or refuse such as, but not limited to, paint, oil, automobiles, tires, plastics, construction materials or debris, leaves, small branches, twigs, trees, paper, grass clippings or any other type of vegetable matter within the corporate limits of the Village, except in an approved incinerator approved by the Village.
B. Definitions:
BONFIRE: An outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes.
FIRE PIT: A pit dug into the ground or made from stones, masonry, etc., that rests on the ground, for keeping a fire used for recreation or cooking.
OPEN BURNING: The combustion of any matter in the open or in an open dump.
PUBLIC WAY: A public street, sidewalk, alley or bike trail.
RECREATIONAL FIRE: A small outdoor fire whose purpose is for pleasure, viewing, cooking, warmth or similar purposes using only seasoned dry firewood, leaves, small branches, twigs, trees, or commercially available charcoal briquettes.
RUBBISH: Items such as paper, plastic, rubber, food products, metal, glass, combustible liquids and construction materials or debris.
STRUCTURE: Shall include but is not limited to a building, garage, house, tent, residential or non- residential trailers or shed attached to the ground.
C. Exclusions: Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, the following types of outdoor or recreational burning shall be permitted in an approved incinerator or fire pit:
1. Small controlled fires and burning of fuels for legitimate campfires or recreational type use within the Village of Oak Lawn.
2. Cooking purposes, such as barbecues and grills, are permitted, where such burning is consistent with applicable laws and codes and provided that no garbage shall be burned in such cases.
3. Fires within approved enclosed domestic outdoor type fireplaces, where such burning is consistent with applicable laws and codes and provided that no garbage shall be burned in such cases. All outdoor type fireplaces shall be approved for use by Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).
4. Fires within approved enclosed domestic outdoor type fireplaces shall be kept no less than fifteen feet (15') from all property lot lines and all combustible materials.
5. Any recreational outdoor fire whose purpose is for pleasure, cooking, warmth or similar purposes, provided the following:
a. No approved container shall be located within fifteen feet (15') of any combustible material, structure or public way.
b. No approved fire pit shall be located within fifty feet (50') of any combustible material, structure or public way, provided the following exceptions:
(1) Fires within approved containers that are not less than fifteen feet (15') from a structure.
(2) The minimum required distance from a structure shall be twenty five feet (25') where the pile size is three feet (3') or less in diameter and two feet (2') or less in height.
c. All recreational fires have a maximum time limit of four (4) hours and shall be properly extinguished at the end of activities or time limit. Regardless of when the fire was initiated it is not allowed to extend later than eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. and may begin no earlier than seven o'clock (7:00) A.M.
6. Small open flames for heating tar, sand or other construction material or for welding, acetylene torches, highway safety flares and the like shall be permitted.
7. The Fire Chief/Police Chief or their designee may prohibit any type of burning that becomes a nuisance based on complaints of irritation of eyes or breathing of others, when the atmospheric conditions or local conditions make such fire hazardous and may order the extinguishment of any fire which creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.
8. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any fire considered by the authority having jurisdiction to be a nuisance or hazard shall be extinguished immediately.
D. Safety: Open burning, bonfires, recreational fires and use of approved portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly monitored until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one (1) portable fire extinguisher or other approved on-site fire- extinguishing equipment, including but not limited to, dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck shall be available for immediate utilization.
E. Prohibition: Open burning or fire pits shall be prohibited in a front yard unless used in connection with approved block parties applications.
F. Penalties: Persons who are convicted of a violation of the provisions of this Code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements or directives of this Code, or of a permit or certificate under provisions of this Code, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) for each offense, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day a violation occurs. (Ord. 17-13-40)